Best Pellet Grills

The Best Pellet Grills for the Money

In Backyard Party & Grilling, Grill Guides & Buying Advice by marketninjas

On a warm summer day, a backyard cookout is an appealing activity to get family and friends together. When you want to make sure that you have the right grill, pellet grills can be excellent options.

Pellet grills are fueled with wooden pellets rather than propane. Cooking on these grills results in a lovely smoked flavor to your food, which is one of the reasons why people love them so much. Pellet grills are offered from the simplest form all the way up to complex outdoor cookers

Here are some of the best pellet grills currently on the market and what is so appealing about them.

What is the Best Pellet Grill on the Market?

There are a lot of fantastic pellet grills on the market, however the Camp Chef 24 in. WIFI Woodwind Pellet Grill is the best option. Starting at $800, this grill tops the chart for a reason. Because of technology, this grill is able to provide an outstanding grilling performance in the following ways;

  • Its easy to use
  • Customizable to your preferences
  • A relaxing experience

One of the amazing things about this grill is that you can control it through an app, and you don’t have to be incredibly close by in order to do so. From your phone, you can control the smoke settings and the temperature of the grill, and the app itself will give you notifications about the meat you are cooking. This allows you to hang out with friends and family without having your entire focus be on the grill.

Additional Incredible Features

The ability to control this grill from your phone isn’t the only thing that makes it stand out. This grill is best for slow smoking the meat and has a temperature range from 160 F – 500 F, which allows you to cook the meat slowly and have a lovely smoked flavor.

Some other appealing features of this grill include being able to:

  • Cook with a direct flame by grill and slide technology
  • Having an easily adjustable smoke level
  • This grill has a helpful cleanout system to dump the ash when you are done

The Camp Chef 24 in. WIFI Woodwind Pellet Grill is a fantastic grilling option because of the use of technology, as well as all of the helpful features the grill provides. If you are looking for a modern, quality, and well worth it grill, this is definitely one of the best options on the market.

7 Best Pellet Grills for the Money

There are a lot of different Pellet Grills on the market and so much to look into when comparing them to each other. When it comes down to picking the right pellet grill for you, you have to think about a lot of different factors throughout the process.

Pellet grills come in a broad range of:

  • Size
  • Quality
  • Price

When looking for the right grill, it’s important to compare all of these aspects in order to find the right one for you and your grilling needs. These are the seven best pellet grills for the money, and why.

Traeger Pro Series 22 Pellet Grill (Gen 1) – $599.99

Traeger is an overall great pellet grill brand, and they do offer some options for great prices as well. The Traeger Pro Series 22 Pellet Grill is a lightweight grill, weighing only 98 pounds. This grill’s dimensions are 42 x 22 x 49 inches, so it is a nice size grill while not being too big.

This well-fabricated grill comes in a nice bronze for a tasteful appearance and was developed from steel. It works by using a triangular smoke exhaust and has temperature regulation and control. This grill can handle temperatures ranging from 180 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, which will guarantee your food will be cooked with a lovely smoky flavor.

Some other features this grill has to offer are:

  • Dual meat probes
  • Side lift bar
  • An extra grill rack
  • A hopper cleanout

This Grill also provides the versatility to be able to:

  • Smoke
  • Bake
  • BBQ
  • Roast
  • Braise

This grill has a lot that comes with it and is from a high quality and durable company. 

There is a downside to this grill. It works much better when it has access to power. If there is no power, the grill tends to wind up too hard and makes it unable to use the smoker. This is pretty much the only downside. This reliable grill from Traeger is a great option for the price.

Traeger Pro 575 Pellet Grill – $799.99

This is another great option from Traeger. The Traeger Pro 575 Pellet Grill is an amazing grill with advanced technology, especially for the price. One of the amazing features about this grill is being able to control your grill right from your phone using Traeger’s WiFIRE® technology. This is a great option for grilling during a social gathering when you might not want to be by the grill the entire time. 

This grill is the smaller version of one of Traegers most popular grills; however, this one is simply 575-square inches, which is a bit smaller than their best-selling Traeger Pro 780. on the larger grill. This is still a decent size grill. However, going a little smaller on the size saves a couple of hundred dollars.

This grill is incredibly simple to both set up and actually grill on, especially with the app that doesn’t even require WIFI to work with the grill. This smaller 575-square inch grill has the capacity for:

  • 24 burgers
  • Five-rib racks
  • Four chickens

This grill comes with a lot of other great features, including:

  • A meat temperature probe
  • Precise temperature controls
  • Porcelain-coated grill plates

PIT BOSS 700FB Pellet Grill, 700 sq. in. - $449.00

This is a large grill for a great price. The PIT BOSS 700FB Pellet grill has a lot of space for cooking most anything with enough space for 32 burgers. This grill is a powerhouse and can handle almost anything you throw at it – or on it. 

This grill has a lot of amazing features, including:

  • 8-in-1 cooking capabilities
  • Cast iron grids coated in porcelain
  • Digitally controlled burn system

This grill has a range from 170 to 600 degrees F as well as an 18 Ib hopper capacity.

Overall, this is an amazing grill for the price, with enough space and versatility to complete any cooking task. The PIT BOSS 700FB Pellet Grill is an amazing option if you are looking for something that won’t break the bank but will definitely do the job.

Camp Chef SMOKEPRO DLX 24 PELLET GRILL – $550.00

This is a quality grill with plenty of space to grill whatever you desire. The camp chef SMOKEPRO DLX 24 Pellet Grill comes with 570 square inches of useable grilling space, with 141 square inches of that being on the upper rack area and 429 square inches being on the lower rack area. 

This grill is simple to use and includes PID (proportional–integral–derivative controller)

 technology, making sure the grill has consistent temperatures, which takes a lot of stress off the griller. This grill has an adjustable smoke setting from 1-10 and a temperature range from 160 to 500 degrees F in order to regulate cooking as much as possible. This grill also comes with an ash cleanout system, making the entire process simple from start to finish.

Some other very useful features this grill has to offer include:

  • A full-sized upper shelf
  • Cord management system
  • Grease management system
  • Pellet hopper cleanout/purge
  • Two meat probes to ensure your meat is cooked to perfection

This is a well built and durable pellet grill from Camp Chef and offers a wide range of features, which make this grill such a great deal for the price.

Traeger Renegade Pro Pellet Grill - $649.99

This is a grill with enough versatility to:

  • Smoke
  • Bake
  • Roast
  • Braise
  • BBQ

The Traeger Renegade Pro Pellet Grill is another grill in Traeger’s line that provides versatility and quality for a great price.

This grill is a bit smaller, with only 380 square inches of cooking space. However, the quality of the grill itself makes up for this. This grill still has an 18-pound pellet holder capacity; however, it is a very lightweight grill, only weighing 109 pounds. This grill has enough space for:

  • Three chickens
  • Three rib racks
  • 16 burgers grilling at one time

This grill also has a lot of other great features, including:

  • A digital pro controller with AGL
  • Dual meat temperature probes
  • Hopper cleanout
  • Aide lift bar
  • All-terrain wheels
  • Electronic auto-start ignition
  • Porcelain grill grates
  • Durable steel construction with a powder coat finish

This grill provides for an easy yet precise grilling experience. This is a great grill if you are looking for something smaller to learn on and build your skills on the smoker. The Traeger Renegade PRO Pellet Grill is another durable grill that is well worth the price.

Green Mountain Grills – Daniel Boone - $499.00

Green Mountain Grills is a smaller grilling company; however, they produce quality grills for reasonable prices. The Daniel Boone model from Green Mountain Grills has 458 square inches of grilling space and offers several features that make this model so intriguing. 

This pellet grill is well built, and Green Mountain grills include a lot of unique features in their grills, including:

  • Digital control
  • A peaked lid for stand-up chicken
  • A tray with utensils/hooks
  • Sensa-mate, which is a temperature regulator

Some other features this grill offers include:

  • A pellet hopper
  • Thermal sensor
  • Grease bucket
  • Auger system
  • A firebox

If you want to add some extras, you can also buy a rotisserie kit, tray liners, or even a floor mat to protect the surface where you are placing your pellet grill.

One of the best features this grill has to offer is Turbo mode, which makes it possible to grill in all types of weather. If it’s cold and the grill needs a bit of an extra boost, Turbo mode can be engaged, lowering the time for the grill to heat up and ensuring that weather never plays a part in preventing grilling!

This grill is incredibly easy to use and regulate. This grill makes it easy to simply set the temperature and smoke settings you want and then just allow the grill to do its job. The Daniel Boone grill from Green Mountain Grills will ensure an easy and quality grilling experience.

Green Mountain Grills – Daniel Boone - $499.00

Green Mountain Grills is a smaller grilling company; however, they produce quality grills for reasonable prices. The Daniel Boone model from Green Mountain Grills has 458 square inches of grilling space and offers several features that make this model so intriguing. 

This pellet grill is well built, and Green Mountain grills include a lot of unique features in their grills, including:

  • Digital control
  • A peaked lid for stand-up chicken
  • A tray with utensils/hooks
  • Sensa-mate, which is a temperature regulator

Some other features this grill offers include:

  • A pellet hopper
  • Thermal sensor
  • Grease bucket
  • Auger system
  • A firebox

If you want to add some extras, you can also buy a rotisserie kit, tray liners, or even a floor mat to protect the surface where you are placing your pellet grill.

One of the best features this grill has to offer is Turbo mode, which makes it possible to grill in all types of weather. If it’s cold and the grill needs a bit of an extra boost, Turbo mode can be engaged, lowering the time for the grill to heat up and ensuring that weather never plays a part in preventing grilling!

This grill is incredibly easy to use and regulate. This grill makes it easy to simply set the temperature and smoke settings you want and then just allow the grill to do its job. The Daniel Boone grill from Green Mountain Grills will ensure an easy and quality grilling experience.

Z Grills ZPG-7002E - $549.00 (original price)

This grill is from a lesser-known grilling company; however, they provide quality and easy to use grills. The Z Grills – 7002E model is built with solid stainless steel construction, and the company provides a 3-year warranty with their grills as well. 

This grill is very appealing due to its versatility and size. This grill provides you with 694 total square inches of grilling area and has a temperature range of 180 to 450 degrees F, which allows you to cook, bake, or BBQ anything you want.

Some features this grill offers include:

  • 8 in 1 versatility
  • A bottom storage shelf
  • A rain cover
  • A high-temperature powder coat finish
  • 20 pounds of hopper capacity
  • An easy drain for fast grease cleanup
  • A durable stainless-steel lid
  • High-quality construction that is going to last

This grill is also incredibly easy to use. It comes with precise temperature control, which allows for consistency while you are cooking, and so you always know what to expect from the grill. This grill also has an easy to read digital control panel and a dial-in temperature range, making it incredibly easy to use.

If you are looking for a spacious, easy to use grill that you know will last, the Z Grills ZPG-7002E would be the perfect option.

Are Pellet Grills Worth the Money?

Pellet grills are extremely versatile and provide a smoked flavor that you simply can’t obtain from a propane-fueled grill. The pellet grill market is very diverse, and there are a lot of different options based on both the customer’s grilling needs and price range.

If you are looking to spend even $400-$500 for a decent quality pellet grill, it will be well worth it. Brands such as Pit Boss Provide quality pellet grills but for a reasonable price for those home grillers who are, perhaps, just getting started or those who don’t need anything too complex.

If you are looking for something a bit more complex, there are definitely options out there to suit those needs as well. You do have to remember, of course, that with more technology options come more added accessories, and therefore, the price of the grill is going to go up as well.

Of course, there are more expensive options depending on how far you are looking to take your pellet grill experience. There are several options upwards of roughly $800, which tie in more:

  • Advanced technology
  • Durability
  • Space
  • Ease of use of the grill

However, there are many options that, while they aren’t as pricey, will still do the job and do it well.

Are High-End Pellet Grills Worth It?

When getting into the higher end pellet grills, the question of if it’s worth it or not becomes more prominent. When the price goes up, this is usually because of the size, materials, and technology involved in making the grill. Out of all of those factors, the size and materials are usually the most important.

For example, Traeger’s Timberline 1300 Pellet Grill comes in at a whopping $1,999.99, which is a lot when it comes to a grill. But there is a good reason as to why this grill is so expensive.

  • First, this is a massive grill with 1,300 square inches of grilling space, enough to cook 12 chickens, 15 rib racks, or 12 pork butts.
  • The size isn’t the only reason this particular grill is so expensive. This grill also has:
    • AD2 direct drive
    • Super smoke mode
    • Fully insulated construction
    • A magnetic bamboo cutting board
    • TurboTemp, and many more features to improve the grill’s quality

Brands such as Pit Boss provide many options for pellet grills that won’t break the bank but still will be durable and high quality. Pit Boss provides a really wide range of grills. However, even their most inexpensive grills are still high quality and durable.

People love pellet grills for flavor and versatility. Pellet grills are able to:

  • Cook
  • Bake
  • Grill
  • Smoke
  • Braise
  • Roast

If you want something that will give you that natural smokey flavor to your meat, a pellet grill is well worth the investment. Pellet grills change the grilling experience for the better.

Are Pit Boss Pellet Grills Any Good?

Pit Boss Grills make some of the top grills currently on the market, and they’re at the top for some very good reasons.

Pit Boss tends to offer a very strong value for the money you are spending, and they always put out quality and durable grills.

Pit Boss doesn’t just make pellet grills; however, they do have a very large selection of pellet grills to choose from on their website. A nice thing about Pit Boss Grills is that they offer some more inexpensive options that still have the same durability and quality, as seen in the higher end Pit Boss Grills.

So many people love Pit Boss because they are a smaller company built-in 1999 by Dan Thiessen and his two sons, Jordan and Jeff. They aimed to bring a better sense of community to outdoor gatherings through their versatile range of:

  • Pellet grills
  • Smokers
  • Griddles
  • Grills

Pit Boss grills are a simple build, but they are top quality. They don’t implement much technology into their grills other than control panels and meat probes, and that’s because their grills simply work amazing as is. They are reliable and consistent when it comes to grilling.

If you are questioning whether or not Pit Boss is any good when it comes to making grills, well, they definitely are, and they have done so ever since they began their company.

Pit Boss is a great brand when it comes to diversity, versatility, durability, and cost for quality.

How Does Pit Boss Compare to Traeger?

Pit Boss and Traeger are among the top pellet grill producers in the market right now, and they both provide each other with some pretty stiff competition.

When looking at price, Pit Boss Grills has a lot of lower-priced options, much more than Traeger does. Pit Boss offers some options as low as the $350 range. However, Traeger’s lower-priced grills are already around $799.

This means If you aren’t looking to spend too much on a grill, but you still want the quality, Pit Boss is a great option. However, as we’ve detailed above, there are still many reasons to purchase a Traeger grill as well.

As far as durability goes, both companies offer a wide range of durable grills. In their newer grills, Traeger is implementing new technology that allows you to control your grill from your phone. Pit Boss hasn’t done this as it isn’t completely necessary and ups the cost of both the grill’s production and what it goes for on the market.

Pit Boss offers a more simple build with great quality, but Traeger offers a more technologically advanced build still being built durably as well.

Pit Boss vs. Traeger: Construction

Both Pit Boss and Traeger have built grills that were constructed with quality and care. Both usually have similar temperature ranges as well as hopper capacities and pellet purge systems. They are both quality and durable builds that will ensure you have a great grilling experience.

Depending on the grill’s complexity, both Traeger and Pit Boss provide some very easy to use options. Traeger takes this a step further with their WiFIRE® technology, which is specific to Traeger grills. While Pit Boss does not have a WIFI system, they do still provide grills that are easy to light, grill on, and clean up afterward. 

Traeger and Pit Boss grills do have some significant differences as well, which is necessary to compare. One of these differences is their warranty. Traeger offers a three-year warranty on their products while Pit Boss provides five. As we’ve detailed, the other biggest difference is the price ranges in which they offer their grills.

Pros and Cons of Pit Boss and Traeger

One downside is that both companies, while being based in the United States, produce all of their grills in China. Both of them initially started building their grills in the states. However, due to growth and production needs, they moved their productions to China.

Both companies produce pellet grills with:

  • Built-in meat probes
  • Control areas
  • Pellet purge systems
  • Extra storage

Overall, Pit Boss grills do tend to provide a better price for the quality and size of the grill you are getting. However, Traeger still offers undeniable quality and ease of use.

The question of whether or not to buy a Traeger or Pit Boss grill really comes down to how much you are willing to spend and how simple or complex of a grill you are interested in buying. In short:

  • Pit Boss offers the best quality for the cost
  • Traeger offers the best technology and versatility with options that are a bit pricier

To Conclude

Pellet grills are a unique style of cooking, and they give a smoked flavor that you can’t get on standard propane, gas, or coal grills. On a pellet grill, you can cook, bake, braise, smoke, BBQ, and much more, which is why they are so appealing to those who love to cook and grill.

When it comes to figuring out which pellet grill works best for you and your needs, there are a lot of different factors to consider. There are also a lot of different brands out there to compare, and it might take some help to know where to start looking and what exactly to look for in your ideal grill.

Pellet grills come in a wide variety of sizes, quality, durability, and price ranges. Two of the most popular brands when it comes to the pellet grill industry are Traeger and Pit Boss. Both companies have a very wide range of pellet grill selections, as well as prices.

When it comes down to it, pellet grills are well worth the money, and many even provide options for year-round grilling with Turbo technology. Along with turbo technology, many grills even have a way to control the grill from your phone. Traeger is one of those companies that have taken this technology to the next level.

Pellet grills truly change the grilling experience for the better and are capable of grilling some amazing foods, but of course, it always depends on the griller themselves! If you are looking for a grill that will do it all, a pellet grill is a fantastic option.

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